PAID ADVERTISEMENT
To the MMA fighters who train at the Stray Dogs Club in Monroe, being dedicated to their training is the name of the game.
Stray Dogs Club, which is located just west of the Fryelands area of Monroe on U.S. 2, focuses on training men and women in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). A dynamic and multi-faceted sport, MMA incorporates techniques from boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, as well as other disciplines of the martial arts. Fighters compete in different weight divisions, and during bouts there is an emphasis on standup combat and grappling, as well as ground fighting.
At Stray Dogs, fighters primarily train in submission wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. They also learn the fundamentals of grappling, which is a set of tactics that can be used by a fighter to gain a physical advantage over their opponent.
Muay Thai, also known as "the art of eight limbs,GÇ¥ focuses on stand-up striking, meaning that fighters engage while on their feet. In addition to their fists, Muay Thai fighters utilize their knees, elbows and shins to deliver strikes to their opponents' bodies. MMA fighters keep Muay Thai techniques in their arsenal of skills to help them to build an effective striking foundation.
Both Brazilian jiu-jitsu training and wrestling help the fighters become more adept at clinching and ground combat. Monroe High School assistant wrestling Coach Jay Jones has been able to help Stray Dogs fighters diversify and really finesse their skills.
MMA is a comprehensive sport and at Stray Dogs, instructors encourage their fighters to be dedicated to health and wellness in addition to being a well-rounded competitor. And, in alignment with traditional martial arts philosophies, they also focus on humility, respect and discipline.
Being humble, explained Jones, is an important characteristic for a fighter who wants to be successful in competition. At Stray Dogs, they educate their students on how to train, how to compete, how to lose, and, of course, how to win.
"Then they learn how to be a champion,GÇ¥ said Jones. "That's kind of how that progression happens.GÇ¥
Stray Dog fighter Roger Kremer, a 22-year-old from Monroe, has been training for almost seven years. After getting his start in boxing, he transitioned to MMA because he was seeking a broader level of challenge and was interested in boosting the intensity of his training. He discovered that MMA vastly increased his skillset, along with giving him access to the mental fine-tuning that comes with any martial arts training.
Kremer fought in the 2012 Battle in the Barn event, and came away with a win.
"I won by decision,GÇ¥ said Kremer. "The guy was a fearsome striker. The one time I actually got out of his face, he threw a spinning back kick and it caught me hard.GÇ¥
Kremer explained that, once he became award of his opponent's tremendous striking strength, he was able to be more strategic and avoid putting himself in the position of getting hit by a similar maneuver. The kick stunned him; he was knocked down briefly, but was able to immediately return to his feet.
"I hopped right back up and just went right back into clinching and keeping in his face,GÇ¥ said Kremer. "He was a good striker. Lethal!GÇ¥
Stray Dogs fighter Matthew Walters moved to Monroe from Virginia about a year-and-a-half ago. The 21-year-old has experience in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo, Muah Thai, wrestling and boxing. He appreciates the all-inclusive level of training he has been able to receive at Stray Dogs, which has really allowed him to become a more proficient fighter.
In addition to the MMA specific training, the fighters at Stray Dogs work to become all-around athletes.
"They go pretty much every day,GÇ¥ said Jones. "They're always doing something, whether it's running or lifting or jiu-jitsu or Muay Thai or wrestling. I come here twice a week, but these guys go pretty much every day.GÇ¥
Both Kremer and Walters will be competing in the upcoming Battle in the Barn event, which is sponsored by Stray Dogs. The amateur event will feature fighters from Washington, Las Vegas and California, and will include a performance by the Seattle Rock Orchestra. Jones explained that participating in such a large-scale amateur event gives the fighters valuable competition experience.
"It's a great opportunity,GÇ¥ said Jones. "These guys have worked really, really hard to get to where they're at.GÇ¥
Participating in amateur-class events like Battle in the Barn also helps to ready fighters who are considering going pro. Rules for amateur events differ from pro in a variety of ways including round length; amateur rounds are three minutes rather than five. Also, certain maneuvers that are prohibited in amateur are permissible in pro.
Battle in the Barn, which takes place at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25. Walters will fight in the light-heavyweight class, and Kremer will compete in featherweight.
Jones volunteers at the Stray Dogs Club twice a week to provide instruction in wrestling.
"I get a charge out of it,GÇ¥ said Jones. "It's not very often a 42-year-old guy gets to get out and grapple with these guys. I love it!GÇ¥
For more information about Stray Dogs Club, please visit the website at: http://www.straydogsclub.com/Home.html. For more information about the Battle in the Barn, please visit the website at: http://www.thebattleinthebarn.com/Home_Page.php or visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheBattleInTheBarn/timeline.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment